<p>I know it's way too early to start deciding this (especially since I haven't picked a major yet :o), but exactly how common is it for undergrads to go to grad school at the same university? I know med schools favor their own students, but I wasn't sure if the same rules applied to grad programs. Is it easier? Harder? A bad idea?</p>
<p>I personally recommend going elsewhere for graduate school.</p>
<p>My reasoning is being that the more professors you collaborate with as a graduate student, the larger collaboration network you develop for post graduate work and/or professorship (if you decide to pursue this). Also, limiting yourself to the same department for undergraduate and graduate level work can also limit your views on your field of study. What is believed to be true at your university may be seen in a different light at another university. I'm starting to see the extent of this in graduate school...thus why I'm planning on different schools for undergraduate, MS, and PhD work.</p>
<p>As for if it's easier to get in or not...I'm not sure...probably depends on the person. Here at UNC there is one student who got their BS here and another who took all of his core classes here (his undergrad was computer engineering at VaTech...so he had to take a bunch of classes to be admitted to graduate school).</p>
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I know med schools favor their own students
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<p>I would dispute this. I have seen no evidence that med-schools favor their own students. What generally happens is that a lot of people will apply to the med-school that is attached to their own undergrad school, and from a simple numbers perspective, when you have lots of people applying, lots will obviously get in. Moreover, those who do manage to get in have a higher chance of actually matriculating there for the simple reason that people get used to living in a certain area, nobody likes to move, and so it's just easier to return to the 'scene of the crime'. However, I have seen no evidence that would make me believe that med-schools admit their own undergrads at a higher percentage than equivalent undergrads elsewhere.</p>
<p>As far as other grad schools are concerned, it really depends on the culture and mindset of the department involved. Take MIT as an example. Certain departments at MIT, notably chemistry and biology, have a rule that specifically bars their own undergrads from being admitted into the PhD program, under the notion that those students are best served elsewhere so they won't become ingrown. Other departments at MIT, especially engineering, seem to strongly favor their own undergrads. One of the higher unofficial 'honors' at MIT is to become "MIT-cubed", which is to hold a BS, MS and PhD all from MIT.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. It makes sense to get a varied education.</p>
<p>sakky- I'll take your word for it. I've noticed that sometimes at least half of the incoming med school class is from that school, so I just assumed it was easier. Your explanation clarifies it. :)</p>
<p>Actually, sakky, the MIT biology department changed that rule for this application cycle -- I just got back to my room after my MIT interview. :) So this is a topical thread!</p>
<p>My interviews were mixed -- some professors were very strongly for me staying at MIT for my PhD, and some were very strongly against it. I think the general consensus is that it's fine, but it's not something everybody should do. You certainly shouldn't decide to go to the same school out of sheer laziness -- you should have a compelling reason.</p>
<p>"you should have a compelling reason"</p>
<p>In-state tuition.</p>
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In-state tuition.
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<p>That is only an issue if you don't receive a TA or RA...if you are in a scientific field, they typically won't admit you if they don't have the funds for you...so that doesn't really matter in the long run. With either a TA or RA I think at most if not all schools will pay your tuition whether it be in-state or out-of-state.</p>
<p>I agree with ophiolite that, particularly if you are talking about a PhD position, in-state tuition hardly matters, because the fact is, the vast majority of doctoral students are funded by the school one way or another (fellowship, TA/RA, etc.). After all, that's why so many doctoral students, particularly in science and engineering, are foreign nationals from China, India, Pakistan, etc. These people obviously don't qualify for instate tuition, and since these countries aren't particularly rich, they must be getting their funding from somewhere. Rarely if ever do I ever see a doctoral student who has to actually pay tuition. </p>
<p>I do agree that most professional schools and many master's degree programs will require tuition, and here, in-state tuition is a factor. Not to mention that admissions tends to be easier for in-state residents, by law. It's easer to get into your own state's public medical school than into an OOS public med school.</p>
<p>I live on a university campus, to which I will be attending in the fall as a freshman. The general opinion here is the undergrad work is heck, while grad school is not as bad. A math major I knew wanted out after her four years here, and she is now enjoying math in the PhD program at MIT. </p>
<p>The consensus here is that it is one or the other; don't stay for both undergrad and grad. </p>
<p>Based on my knowledge of this particular school, I suggest going somewhere new.</p>
<p>I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and asking advice from my undergrad profs. This is what they have said:</p>
<p>Students in academic fields (social sciences, humanities) are especially encouraged to complete degrees at different institutions in order to meet new people and encounter new ways of doing things. Professional schools do not necessarily care as much.</p>
<p>Attending the same university for both degrees is less of an issue if the student chose different fields for each. Receiving a BA and PhD from different departments on the same campus is less of a red flag than getting them from the same department.</p>
<p>Thanks! :)</p>
<p>What about an MA from your undergrad college through a 5-yr BA/MA program? Is this particularly helpful for applying to PhD programs, or not really?</p>
<p>Rabo...</p>
<p>That is a completely different situation...
Such a program will definitely help you get into PhD programs.</p>
<p>A professor of mine suggested that for PhD work, while one could get accepted to their undergrad department for grad school, that it would be silly and boring.</p>
<p>As he put it, "You've already heard all the hot air we expel, why not go somewhere new and get new hot air? At least you won't be AS bored."</p>
<p>I'm not sure that a combined BA/MA program is an advantage for getting admitted to grad school. There is no advantage in psychology that i am aware of and I have my doubts about other disciplines, especially in the social sciences.</p>
<p>The only possible advantage I can think of is the potential for doing some decent research or writing while working toward the MA. It's not a huge deal, but the MA can't hurt. It will make you stand out against other "straight-from-undergrad" applicants.</p>
<p>While it can't hurt, I don't think it makes you stand out all that much unless the MA is in a subject area that the grad faculty at a specific program would value. For example, if applying to a psychology Ph.D. program, having a MA in psychology from another school would not count for much except for the possiblity of having had additional research experience. In addition it would be unlikely that your Ph.D. program would accept course credits at your MA program (there are some grad programs that are exceptions to this general stance). If you had a MA in biostatistics, a foreign langauge or some other subject area where you acquired unique technical proficiency, then that MA could really help.</p>
<p>So, I talked to my adviser about combined BA/MA programs, and he basically said that if you're going for a PhD, an MA is a worthless degree and at Brown anyway, most PhD students don't even bother to get them. He also backed up what has been said above, about how doing grad work at your undergrad school is incestuous and not optimal.</p>
<p>Even though I agree that it might not be optimal, I think students who enter into their undergraduate school's PhD program can do fine with themselves. For instance, many profs have multiple degrees from the same place. Perhaps the times have changed and this used to be looked upon more highly, though. Anyone know the history of this situation?</p>
<p>The advice I've heard from professors tracks pretty well with their age -- younger professors are for it, since many of them got their bachelor's and PhD's at the same institution. Older faculty members recall a time when this was an absolute taboo.</p>